Group wash station

ABSTRACT

A group wash station includes an inverted frusto-conical base pedestal with a two-part molded plastic wash bowl mounted thereon. A pneumatic tread is adhesively bonded on the floor surface around the base pedestal and is operatively connected through an air hose to a pressure-actuated switch mounted in the base pedestal. The switch is in turn associated with a solenoid valve for controlling the flow of water from supply conduits to a spray head assembly mounted above the wash bowl. A rigid loadsupporting plate is usefully provided under the wash bowl for transmitting stresses to the base pedestal.

United States Patent [19] Camp et al.

[ Mar. 27, 1973 GROUP WASH STATION [76] Inventors: Bryon Camp, 20 Lawrie Road, Concord; Percival Arthur Camp, 15 Tangreen Court; William Hasso Meyer, 8 Cresthaven Drive, both of Willowdale, Ontario, all of Canada [22] Filed: Feb. 24, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 118,217

[52] US. Cl ..4/166; 4/l67;222/l81 [51] Int. Cl. A47k l/04; E030 l/48, E030 H05 [58] Field of Search ..4/166, 167, 191, 192, 100, 4/1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,498,699 2/ 1950 Mullett et a1 ..4/167 3,193,846 7/1965 Lefebvre ..4/100 3,454,082 7/1969 Harke ..4/192 X 2,227,388 12/1940 Comer ..4/166 2,245,934 6/ 1941 Mullett ..4/ 191 2,293,544 8/1942 Heine et al. ....4/167 2,836,080 5/1958 Mullett ..4/ 167 X Primary Examinerl-lenry K. Artis Att0rneyJ. Noel Walton [57] ABSTRACT A group wash station includes an inverted frusto-conical base pedestal with a two-part molded plastic wash bowl mounted thereon. A pneumatic tread is adhesively bonded on the floor surface around the base pedestal and is operatively connected through an air hose to a pressure-actuated switch mounted in the base pedestal. The switch is in turn associated with a solenoid valve for controlling the flow of water from supply conduits to a spray head assembly mounted above the wash bowl. A rigid load-supporting plate is usefully provided under the wash bowl for transmitting stresses to the base pedestal.

11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATEr-flfnmzmva 3,722,007

SHEET 10F 3 A 113, I07 /l8 72 H6 -|||l n5 INVENTORS.

BRYON CAMP PERC/VAL ARTHUR CAMP WILLIAM HASSO MEYER PATEmEnmzjlma 3,722,007- SHEET 2 or 3 INVENTORS.

BRYON CAMP PERCIVAL ARTHUR CAMP 23 WILLIAM HASSO MEYER T/MG/F;

PATENTFnmzmrs 3,722,007

sum 30F 3 I00 INVEN TORS:

BRYON CAMP PERC/VAL ARTHUR CAMP WILL/AM HASSO MEYER GROUP WASH STATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to group wash stations and more particularly to group wash stations of the type presently used in the washrooms of factories and of similar buildings. The wash stations to which this invention relates are those of the type which include a bowl with a spray head assembly for providing an outwardly and downwardly directed spray of water on operation of a suitably actuated water control valve, generally a foot-actuated control valve.

Many of the previously proposed and commercially available wash stations of the type in question include a foot control comprising a pivotally mounted ring which extends around the wash station a small distance upwardly of the floor surface on which the station is installed. Qn pressing downwardly on such a ring with his foot, a user causes a water flow control valve to be opened to supply water to the spray head assembly of the wash station. In order to permit operation of such a spray ring at all positions around a wash station of the type in question, it has previously been necessary to resort to the use of relatively complex mechanical linkages for connecting such a ring to the mechanically operated water flow valve used in such a station. Such mechanical linkages are inevitably somewhat unreliable in their operation and a further difficulty arising from the use of such pivotally mounted rings is that their very presence makes cleaning of the floor around the base of the wash station somewhat difiicult.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, there is provided a wash station of the aforementioned type and in which the supply of water to the wash bowl is controlled by a pressure-operated tread switch which is disposed directly on the floor surface around the base pedestal of the wash station. Consequently floor cleaning is considerably facilitated. The wash stations of this invention are also characterized by the fact that the water control switch is equally operative at all positions around the station without requiring the use of complex linkages to obtain this desirable result.

In accordance with another useful feature of this invention, the base pedestal and bowl of a wash station are formed in a manner such that their construction by conventional moulding techniques using glass fiberreinforced resin moulding compositions is considerably facilitated. In particular, the present invention provides a novel structure for a wash station, which structure is characterized by having a much lower weight than the structures of the wash stations hereinbefore known, which known wash stations frequently included bowls formed of relatively heavy and/or easily damaged materials such as stainless steel, enamelled metal, porcelain, ceramic materials and the like.

Furthermore, the wash stations of this invention are characterized in that they can be made up of substantially fewer component parts than the wash stations hereinbefore known. This latter feature is of considerable practical importance in that it reduces the number of man-hours required for the installation of such a wash station in a washroom.

Yet another important feature of this invention resides in the provision of a wash station structure which is characterized by having a much lower likelihood of being damaged during shipment and which can in fact be transported to an installation site in a considerably more assembled form than is the case for existing wash stations where the relatively high weight and fragility of such structures require a-much larger degree of assembly to be carried out at the installation site.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the description herein proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a group wash station which can broadly be defined as comprising a base pedestal for disposition on a supporting surface, a wash bowl mounted on the base pedestal, a spray head mounted above the wash bowl, a solenoid valve having open and closed positions, a water transfer conduit extending from the solenoid valve to the spray head for the supply of water to the latter, a pressure-actuable solenoid valve control means for disposition at least partially around the wash station, and a signal transfer means operatively interconnecting the control means and the solenoid valve, whereby the solenoid valve is moved into its open position during pressure application at essentially any position along the control means thereby to permit the flow of water from a supply conduit through the solenoid valve and into the transfer conduit for passage to the spray head.

The above-mentioned pressure-actuable solenoid valve control means usefully comprises a pressure-actuable tread which is disposed on the supporting surface around the base pedestal of the wash station. Such a tread is usefully adhesively bonded or otherwise secured to both thev supporting surface and the base pedestal of the wash station. For the latter purpose, the

tread can be provided with a generally upstanding inner Such a pressure-actuable tread can include a woven electrical switch or an essentially closed and resiliently compressible pneumatic tube which is in pressure communication through a hose constituting the aforementioned signal transfer means with a pressure-actuable switch which is in turn op rativ' ely connected to the solenoid valve.

In accordance with another feature of this invention, a thermostatically-controlled mixing valve can be connected to the solenoid valve for the supply thereto of water at a temperature within a predetermined temperature range from individual hot and cold water supply conduits. Such a thermostatically-controlled mixing valve is usefully of an adjustable type.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, there is provided a group wash station which can broadly be defined as comprising a hollow base pedestal including an upstanding peripheral wall, a wash bowl supported on and secured to the base pedestal and including an upper bowl-forming part which in turn comprises an upstanding annular outer wall, an inwardly sloping inner wall integrally formed with the outer wall at an annular rim portion and a bowl base portion integrally formed with the inner wall, a load-supporting plate supportingly disposed beneath the bowl base and having an outer peripheral edge, and

an annular part extending between and secured to the outer wall and the load-supporting plate, the bowl base portion usefully being bonded to the load-supporting plate.

The peripheral wall of the pedestal base of such a wash station structure usefully has an inverted generally frusto-conical configuration which is particularly usefully formed with upper and lower frusto-conical portions which are interconnected by an integrally formed web, an upper edge flange usefully being provided on the peripheral wall of the pedestal base for securing it to the annular part of the wash bowl generally in proximity to the outer edge of the loadsupporting plate.

In accordance with yet another feature of this invention, a group wash station in accordance therewith includes an upright and hollow spray post mounted on the load-supporting plate a circumferentially perforated hollow annular collar mounted on the spray post above the wash bowl and in fluid communication with the interior of the spray post for the flow of water upwardly through the spray post and into the annular collar for final discharge through the circumferential perforations.

A further feature of this invention resides in theprovision of a fluid soap container mounted on the upper end of such a spray post, a plurality of manually operable soap-dispensing valves being provided in the base of such a container.

A particular construction for such a soap-dispensing valve will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described merely by way of illustration with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of a group wash station in accordance with the present invention with part of the base-pedestal thereof cut away to reveal the internal construction and with certain internal structural components shown in phantom outline;

FIG. 2' is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the wash station of FIG. 1 when viewed as indicated by the arrows 2--2 of that figure with certain parts omitted and showing in greater detail the structure of the base pedestal and the bowl of that wash station and the manner in which such components are interconnected;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section showing in greater detail the manner in which an upper bowl-forming part of the wash bowl of the wash station of FIGS. 1 and 2 is secured about its outer edge to an annular lower part of the wash bowl;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section showing in greater detail the manner in which the annular lower part of the wash bowl as shown in FIG. 3 is secured to the base pedestal of the wash station and also showing a load-supporting plate usefully incorporated in the wash station of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through one embodiment of a pressure-actuated tread switch usefully provided in the group wash station of FIGS. 1 and 2 for the purpose of controlling the supply of water to a spray head assembly of such a wash station;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a water supply control system usefully provided in the group wash station of FIGS. 1 and 2 and intended to be operated by means of the pressure-actuated tread switch of FIG. 5, and including a thermostatically controlled mixing valve for controlling the mixing of hot and cold water to provide an outlet flow of water at a desired predetermined temperature;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the spray head assembly usefully provided on the wash station shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and showing a fluid soap dispenser mounted on such a spray head assembly in accordance with another useful feature of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through one of the soap-dispensing valves provided on the soap dispenser shown in FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS pedestal 12 for the purpose of controlling the supply of water to the spray head assembly 16 in a manner which will be described hereinafter in greater detail.

Reference will now be made to the particular structures of the base pedestal 12 and the wash bowl 14 and to the manner in which these components are interconnected in accordance with one feature of this invention and as shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The base pedestal 12 is in the form of a glass fiber-reinforced resin moulding generally indicated at 24 and having an overall inverted generally frusto-conical configuration including upper and lower frusto-conical portions 22 and 23 respectively which are interconnected and integrally formed with an intermediate web 19. The lower portion 23 is integrally formed around its lower edge with an inwardly directed horizontal annular flange 25 while the upper portion 22 is integrally formed around its upper edge with an outwardly extending horizontal annular flange 26. The base pedestal 12 is effectively secured in a desired position on the floor 21 by suitable bolts or screws 27 extending through holes provided for this purpose in the lower flange 25. A removable access panel shown fragmentarily at 28 in FIG. 1 is provided in the moulding 24 to facilitate servicing and installation of the wash station 10.

The wash bowl 14 is usefully formed in accordance with one feature of this invention as a two-piece glass fiber-reinforced moulded plastic structure including an upper bowl-forming part generally indicated at 29 and a lower annular part 30. With such a two-piece construction, manufacture of the wash bowl 14 by a simple moulding technique is considerably facilitated. Referring now in greater detail to the structure of the aforementioned upper bowl-forming part 29, it will be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 that this part 29 includes an upstanding outer wall 32 integrally formed with an inner wall 33 at a curved rim portion 34. The inner wall 33 slopes gradually inwardly and downwardly to an integrally formed bowl base portion 35 through which the aforementioned spray head assembly 16 is mounted in a manner yet to be described. The bowl base portion 35 slopes gradually downwardly to a conventional waste drain 36.

At the lower peripheral edge of the outer wall 32, there is integrally formed an outwardly extending annular flange 37 (FIG. 3) for supported engagement with a corresponding flange 38 formed around the upper edge of the aforementioned lower annular part 30. To facilitate removal of the bowl-forming part 29 from its mould during its manufacture, the outer wall 32 thereof usefully tapers very slightly inwardly from the flange 37 to the rim portion 34. From its flange 38, the lower annular part 30 curves downwardly and inwardly as indicated at 40 for supported engagement on the flange 26 of the upper portion 22 of the moulding 24 constituting the base pedestal 12. From the generally horizontal portion 40, the annular part 30 extends inwardly and upwardly as at 41 to terminate in a generally horizontal inwardly extending flange 42.

The manner in which the upper bowl-forming part 29 and the lower annular part 30 are interconnected will best be understood by reference to FIG. 3 from which it will be seen that the aforementioned flanges 3'7 and 38 are fastened together by a plurality of rivets 44 suitably located circumferentially around the wash bowl 14. A plastic trim moulding generally indicated at 45 is adhesively held in position over the joint between the aforementioned flanges 37 and 38 aswill readily be understood by reference to FIG. 3. It will be understood that the invention is in no way limited to the use of the particular trim moulding 45 shown in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, it will be seen therefrom that the wash station additionally includes a reinforcing and load-supporting plate 48 formed of a material which is inore rigid than the material of the wash bowl l4 and the base pedestal 12. Generally the plate 48 will be formed of wood, plywood or a wood-based composite material such as that commercially known as coreboard. In the particular construction shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the coreboard plate 48 is usefully bonded to the undersurface of the bowl base portion 35, after manufacture of the latter, by a glass fiber-reinforced laminating adhesive 49. Screws 50 serve to secure the aforementioned flange 42 to the coreboard plate 48. Screws '52 extend upwardly through the aforementioned annular flange 26 of the base pedestal moulding 24 and into the horizontal portion 40 of the lower annular member 30 of the bowl 14 to retain the bowl in position on the pedestal. Foamed polystyrene or other suitable filling material (not shown) can be provided, if desired, between the inner and outer walls 33 and 32 respectively of the bowl 14 for the purpose of providing additional reinforcement or sound deadening.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 7, it will be seen therefrom that the spray head assembly 16 includes a spray post or tubular member 54 usefully of a suitable plastics material and which is secured within a generally central opening 55 provided for this purpose through the bowl base portion 35 and through the loadsupporting coreboard plate 48. An external annular flange 56 is provided on the spray post 54 for abutment with the top surface of the bowl base portion 35 while a nut 57 is screwed onto a threaded lower end 58 of the spray post 54 to hold the latter securely in position. A gasket 59 is used to ensure a watertight connection between the spray post 54 and the bowl base portion 35. The nut 57 also serves to retain in position in the base pedestal 12 a control box mounting plate 51 for a purpose which will be more readily understood as the description herein proceeds.

The lower end of the spray post 54 is closed by a disc 61 and an annular spray collar generally indicated at 63 is suitably secured around the spray post 54. In the par ticular construction shown in the accompanying drawings, the spray collar 63 is formed from upper and lower portions 60 and 62 respectively with perforations or spray openings 65 formed in the upper edge of the lower portion 62 for the discharge of water from the collar 63. The perforations 65 are peripherally spaced and angled so as to provide a volume of water at the operating pressure which is sufiicient to give an adequate sheet spray .of water without break-up at the level at which users will place their hands within such a stream. For the particular wash-fountain 10 shown in the accompanying drawings, the use of spray openings 65 of l/16th inch diameter at approximately 7/32 inch peripheral spacings made water spray over the rim 34 of the bowl l4 practically non-existent. Larger angularly spaced apart openings 64 are provided in the wall of the spray post 54 for the passage of water from within that post into the spray collar 63. Above the level of the openings 64, the spray post 54 is internally closed by a disc 53.

A nipple 69 is mounted in the aforementioned disc 61 and connected through an elbow 66 to a nipple 67 extending from a valve control box generally indicated at 68 for controlling, in a manner yet to be explained, the flow of water into the spray post 54. D

At its upper end, the spray post 54 provides a seating for a bore 71 formed in a lower part or soap container 72 of the liquid soap dispenser 18 hereinbefore mentioned. The container 72 is usefully secured on the upper end of the spray post 54 by screws 70.

Referring now in greater detail to FIGS. 1 and 6 of the accompanying drawings, it will be seen therefrom that the aforementioned control box 68 which is mounted on the undersurface of the aforementioned control box mounting plate 51 is adapted to receive water through a conduit 74 from a thermostatically V controlled mixing valve 75 in turn supplied with water from cold water supply conduit 76 and from hot water supply conduit 77. Shut-off valves 78 and 79 are provided in the conduits 76 and 77 respectively for controlling the supply of water to the mixing valve 75. The thermostatically controlled mixingvalve may be of any conventional type designed to supply water through the conduit 74 at a predetermined temperature irrespective of variations in the water pressures or in the temperatures of the hot and cold water supplied through the conduits 77 and 76 respectively. If required, a pressure control valve 80 can be provided in the conduit 74.

Within the control box 68, there is provided a normally closed on/off solenoid valve 82 adapted to permit or prevent the flow of water to the aforementioned nipple 67 for subsequent flow into the spray post 54 on/off the spray head assembly 16. This solenoid valve 82 is in turn controlled by a pressure-actuated switch 83 suppliedwith electrical energy through a cable 84 terminating in a plug 97 removably inserted in a conventional receptacle 73 suitably supported by means (not shown) within the base pedestal 12 upwardly of the floor 21. Operation of the pressure-actuated switch 83 is in turn controlled by means of the aforementioned pressure-actuated tread switch 20. A switch can be conventionally provided, if required, for controlling the supply of electricity to the pressure-actuated switch 83.

From FIGS. 1 and 5, it will be seen that the tread switch 20 consists of an annular cast rubber matting 85 provided with an inwardly extending section 86 terminating in a downwardly extending flange 87 through which rivets 88 pass to secure the tread switch 20 to and around the base pedestal 12.

Outwardly of the section 86, the tread switch 20 is formed with a hollow tread portion 90 having an upwardly directed convex surface 91. The tread switch 20 is usefully bonded to the floor 21 by means of an adhesive as indicated at 92. An essentially closed and resiliently compressible air hose 93 is disposed beneath the tread portion 90 for compression when foot pressure is applied to that tread portion 90. A T-connector 94 provides a pneumatic connection between hose 93 and an air hose 95 extending to the aforementioned pressure-actuated switch 83. The upper convex surface 92 is usefully segmented to provide greater traction and, if required, the air hose 93 is adhesively bonded to the undersurface of the hollow tread portion 90.

Although the wash station has hereinbefore been described as including the pressure-actuated tread switch which incorporates a pneumatic hose, it is equally possible in a wash station in accordance with this invention to use a pressure-actuated tread switch of the type presently in use for controlling the opening and closing of doors in public buildings and including a woven electrical web with embedded conductors which are moved into mutual electrical contact on the application of foot pressure to such tread. Such use of woven electrical switches presents the same advantage as does the use of the pneumatic tread switch hereinbefore described in that such a switch can be disposed directly on the floor surface around the wash station and so permits the latter to be constructed to be free of elevated levers or rings as are present in previously known wash stations of the type in question. Such elimination of elevated levers or rings is particularly advantageous in that cleaning of the washroom is facilitated and in that bruising of shins and ankles by users banging their legs against such an elevated lever or ring is completely eliminated. Additionally, the pressure-actuated tread switches used in accordance with this invention are especially reliable in their operation. Another advantage presented by the use of the pressure-actuated tread switches hereinbefore described compared to the known use of elevated levers or rings is that such tread switches are equally operative to initiate the flow of water to the spray head assembly 16 of such a wash station 10 irrespective of the operating position of the user around the station. With the .previously known wash stations incorporating elevated footoperated levers or rings, such elevated levers or rings were frequently somewhat ineffective at peripheral positions located near the pivot mountings or, on the other hand, exceptionally complex linkage mechanisms were necessary to eliminate such dead spots. Yet another disadvantage of the previously known mechanisms is that they could easily be damaged in the event that two users were to tread at the same time on opposite sides of the lever ring of such a mechanism.

Referring further to the aforementioned waste drain 36, it will be seen from FIG. 7 that this drain includes a perforated open grid strainer 98 mounted on a short length of pipe 99 secured in turn in an opening provided for this purpose in the bottom of bowl 14 by a nut 100, a washer 101 being provided to ensure a watertight seal. The pipe 99 is also shown as extending through a hole provided for this purpose in the control box mounting plate 51. The pipe 99 is connected at its lower end in a conventional manner to a waste pipe 102 (FIG. 1) which waste pipe will generally incorporate a trap (not shown) to prevent odors emerging from the I drain into the bowl 14. Waste drains of types other than that shown at 36 in the accompanying drawings can, however, be used.

Referring now in greater detail to the soap dispenser 18, it will be seen from FIG. 7 that such dispenser 18 includes a cover 105 having a peripheral flange 107 which serves to retain the cover 105 in position on the container 72. A cenu'al opening 112 is provided in the cover 105 and a centrally apertured cap 113 positioned over the opening 112 serves to retain the cover 105 in position. For this purpose, an upstanding rod 108 having a threaded lower end is secured by nuts 109 and 110 centrally to the base of the container 72. A threaded bore in the upper end of the rod 108 receives a screw 111 so as to retain the cover 105 and the cap 1 13 firmly in position on the container 72.

Referring further to the soap dispenser 18, it can be noted that, for the particular wash station 10 shown in the accompanying drawings, four soap dispensing valves 116 are mounted in openings 115 in the base of the container 72. A typical construction for such a soap dispensing valve 116 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 8 from which it will be seen that the valve 116 comprises a valve body 117 including an upstanding and externally threaded sleeve 118. An annular shoulder 119 is provided on the valve body for abutment with the undersurface of the base of the container 72 while an O- ring 120 ensures a satisfactory seal. Each valve 116 is retained in position by a nut 122 screwed onto the sleeve 118 inside the container 72, a set screw 123 being provided in a radial bore in the nut 122 to prevent accidental loosening.

The valve body 117 includes a valve seating 125 and a vertically movable valve stem 126 with an integrally formed annular collar 127. A rubber valve washer 128 is disposed around the valve stem 126 below the collar 127 for sealing abutment with the valve seating 125. An internally threaded bore 129 in the valve body 117 receives a male-threaded sleeve 130, the upper end 131 of which is closed and which houses a helical compression spring 132. The spring 132 in turn acts on the collar 127 to bias the valve into its closed position. Flow passages 133 are provided in the sleeve to permit the passage of liquid soap through the valve while a knurled head 134 on the sleeve 130 permits easy adjustment of the spring bias on the valve stem.

The valve stem 126 extends downwardly through a discharge opening 136 in the lower end of the valve body 117 and terminates at its lower end in a boss 137 by means of which the valve stem can be raised manually against the action of the spring 132 to allow the discharge of liquid soap through the valve.

Although the manner in which the group wash station 10 operates should be readily apparent from the foregoing description, such operation will now be briefly summarized.

After installation with the thermostatically controlled mixing valve 75 connected to the hot and cold water supply conduits 77 and 76 respectively and with the electric plug 97 inserted into the socket 73, foot pressure on the tread switch 20 at any position around the base pedestal 12 causes a pressure increase to occur in the air hose 95. This pressure increase in turn causes the pressure-actuated switch 83 to close so allowing the flow of electrical current to the solenoid valve 82 and opening that valve. Water then flows at a desired predetermined temperature from the mixing valve 75 through the solenoid valve 82 and into the spray post 54 from which it passes into the spray collar 63 for final discharge through the spray openings or perforations 65 as a downwardly and outwardly directed spray which is received in the wash bowl 14, the wash bowl 14 being drained through the waste drain 36.

When a user requires soap for washing his hands, he simply presses upwardly with the palm of his hand on the boss 137 of an appropriate one of the soapdispensing valves 116 so opening that valve and allowing liquid soap to flow from the soap dispenser 18 through the valve discharge outlet 136. When pressure on the valve stem is released, the spring 132 causes that valve to return immediately to its closed position.

It will be understood that numerous modifications can be made to the wash stations specifically described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings without departing from the scope of the invention. Merely by way of illustration, it may be mentioned that, although the invention has been described with reference to a wash station having a generally circular configuration in plan, it is equally possible to form wash stations with semi-circular or other non-circular plan configurations.

It is also within the scope of this invention to provide a wash station fitted with a soap-powder dispenser which can be constructed somewhat differently from the liquid soap dispenser shown in the accompanying drawings. As previously indicated, it is also within the scope of the invention to utilize an electrically operated tread switch instead of the pneumatic system hereinbefore described.

What is claimed is:

1. A group wash station which comprises a hollow base pedestal including an upstanding peripheral wall, a wash bowl supported on and secured to said base pedestal and including an upper bowl-forming part which in turn comprises an upstanding annular outer wall, an inwardly sloping inner wall integrally formed with said outer wall at an annular rim portion and a bowl base portion integrally formed with said inner ill wall, a load-supporting plate supportingly disposed beneath said bowl base and having an outer peripheral edge, and an annular part extending between and secured to said outer wall and said load-supporting plate.

2. A group wash station as claimed in claim 1 in which said bowl base portion is bonded to said loadsupporting plate. I

3. A group wash station as claimed in claim 2 in which said upstanding peripheral wall of said base pedestal has an inverted generally frusto-conical configuration and an upper edge flange secured to said annular part of said wash bowl in general proximity to said outer edge of said load-supporting plate.

4. A group wash station as claimed in claim 3 in which said upstanding peripheral wall of said base pedestal includes upper and lower portions each having an inverted generally frusto-conical configuration and being interconnected by an integrally formed web extending between said upper and lower portions of said which said annular part of said wash bowl is secured to said outer wall of said wash bowl peripherally thereabout.

6. A group wash station as claimed in claim 5 in which said base pedestal and said wash bowl are formed of a reinforced plastics material and said loadsupporting plate is formed of a more rigid material.

7. A group wash station as claimed in claim 1 which additionally comprises an upright and hollow spray post mounted on said load-supporting plate and a circumferentially perforated hollow annular collar mounted on said spray post above said wash bowl and in fluid communication with the interior of said spray post for the flow of water upwardly through said spray post and into said annular collar for final discharge through the circumferential perforations therein.

8. A group wash station as claimed in claim 7 whichadditionally comprises a solenoid valve having open and closed positions and connected to said spray post by a transfer conduit for the supply of water into said spray post from a water supply conduit, a pressure-actuable solenoid valve control tread disposed around said base pedestal and a signal transfer means operatively interconnecting said tread and said solenoid valve whereby said solenoid valve is moved into its open position for the supply of water into said spray post during pressure application upon said tread.

9. A group wash station as claimed in claim 8 in which said tread houses an essentially closed and resiliently compressible pneumatic tube in pressure,

communication through said signal transfer means with a pressure-actuable switch operatively connected to said solenoid valve whereby said solenoid valve is moved into its open position during the application of pressure to said tread.

10. A group wash station as claimed in claim 7 which additionally comprises a fluid soap container mounted on an upper end of said spray post and having a base and a plurality of manually operable soap-dispensing valves provided in said base thereof.

11. A group wash station as claimed in claim 10 in which each said soap-dispensing valve includes a valve body with an upstanding male threaded sleeve disposed said base of said container, and in which each said valve comprises a valve stem carrying a valve closure member and extending below said base of said container and spring means downwardly biasing the valve member into a closed position thereof. 

1. A group wash station which comprises a hollow base pedestal including an upstanding peripheral wall, a wash bowl supported on and secured to said base pedestal and including an upper bowlforming part which in turn comprises an upstanding annular outer wall, an inwardly sloping inner wall integrally formed with said outer wall at an annular rim portion and a bowl base portion integrally formed with said inner wall, a load-supporting plate supportingly disposed beneath said bowl base and having an outer peripheral edge, and an annular part extending between and secured to said outer wall and said load-supporting plate.
 2. A group wash station as claimed in claim 1 in which said bowl base portion is bonded to said load-supporting plate.
 3. A group wash station as claimed in claim 2 in which said upstanding peripheral wall of said base pedestal has an inverted generally frusto-conical configuration and an upper edge flange secured to said annular part of said wash bowl in general proximity to said outer edge of said load-supporting plate.
 4. A group wash station as claimed in claim 3 in which said upstanding peripheral wall of said base pedestal includes upper and lower portions each having an inverted generally frusto-conical configuration and being interconnected by an integrally formed web extending between said upper and lower portions of said base pedestal.
 5. A group wash station as claimed in claim 3 in which said annular part of said wash bowl is secured to said outer wall of said wash bowl peripherally thereabout.
 6. A group wash station as claimed in claim 5 in which said base pedestal and said wash bowl are formed of a reinforced plastics material and said load-supporting plate is formed of a more rigid material.
 7. A group wash station as claimed in claim 1 which additionally comprises an upright and hollow spray post mounted on said load-supporting plate and a circumferentially perforated hollow annular collar mounted on said spray post above said wash bowl and in fluid communication with the interior of said spray post for the flow of water upwardly through said spray post and into said annular collar for final discharge through the circumferential perforations therein.
 8. A group wash station as claimed in claim 7 which additionally comprises a solenoid valve having open and closed positions and connected to said spray post by a transfer conduit for the supply of water into said spray post from a water supply conduit, a pressure-actuable solenoid valve control tread disposed around said base pedestal and a signal transfer means operatively interconnecting said tread and said solenoid valve whereby said solenoid valve is moved into its open position for the supply of water into said spray post during pressure application upon said tread.
 9. A group wash station as claimed in claim 8 in which said tread houses an essentially closed and resiliently compressible pneumatic tube in pressure communication through said signal transfer means with a pressure-actuable switch operatively connected to said solenoid valve whereby said solenoid valve is moved into its open position during the application of pressure to said tread.
 10. A group wash station as claimed in claim 7 which additionally comprises a fluid soap container mounted on an upper end of said spray post and having a base and a plurality of manually operable soap-dispensing valves provided in said base thereof.
 11. A group wash station as claimed in claim 10 in which each said soap-dispensing valve includes a valve body with an upstanding male threaded sleeve disposed within a corresponding opening in said base of said fluid soap container, a shoulder on each sad sleeve abutting the undersurface of said base of said fluid soap container and each said valve body being retained in position in said base of said fluid soap container by a female threaded member screwed onto said sleeve within said container for abutment with a top surface of said base of said container, and in which each said valve comprises a valve stem carrying a valve closure member and extending below said base of said container and spring means downwardly biasing the valve member into a closed position thereof. 